First Look: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.0-liter

Tokyo marked the global launch of the hot-rod rally-champ WRX STI -- or at least the one the rest of the world will be getting. The North American model breaks cover next month at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. What are the differences? The biggie is under the hood, where the global model stays true to the World Rally Championship homologation regs with a 2.0-liter boxer engine boosted to 14.7 psi by a twin-scroll Mitsubishi turbocharger to produce 295 SAE horsepower and 299 pound-feet of torque (Wiki editors note: The 308 PS/304 bhp/311 pound-foot power figures widely quoted everywhere were generated using Japanese Industry Standard testing procedures, which differ from our SAE test).

We'll continue to get the 2.5-liter engine boosted by a single-scroll Mitsubishi turbo that's said to produce slightly more horsepower (a shade over 300 SAE net, we hear) and slightly less torque. Yes, it's counter-intuitive for the bigger engine to produce less twist, and we won't believe it until Subaru engineers spill the beans next month, but the 2.5 is said to have a broader torque curve and to feel torquier, and it won't have to work quite as frenetically to make a few more ponies. Gearing is the same, so ours should outperform the global STI. We'll get Dunlop tires instead of the Bridgestone Potenza RE050As everybody else gets, but we're promised the rest of the suspension design and tuning is identical.Let's recap the basics for the less-devoted WRX STI fans before digging into the newly divulged details. All WRX STIs will be five-doors -- the shorter overhangs and longer wheelbase (relative to last year's sedan) improve high-speed maneuverability in Finnish forests. Relative to the WRX hatch, the grille, fascias, fenders, rear quarters, and side sills are unique, designed to accommodate the fat 245/40R18 tires. The front fascia and rear wing balance front and rear lift at zero (an aftermarket front lip spoiler is said to provide a tiny bit of downforce). Inside the gauges, wheel, center console, and seat trim are unique (but to these eyes, not sufficiently upgraded to suit the expected price tag of around $35,000).

More functional upgrades include SI-Drive (Subaru Intelligent Drive, which alters the throttle map for relaxed efficiency, sport, or sport-sharp modes, all accessed by a console-mounted rotary knob); multimode vehicle dynamics control (VDC), allowing on, off, and sport modes (the latter disables engine-torque management); and a four-position Driver Controlled Center Differential. The high degree to which the personality of the WRX STI's dynamic behavior can be tailored is cited as the reason Subaru doesn't need to offer different models of its top rally performer to match the many flavors of EVO.